Unit 422-00 (Crazy Mountains / Shields Elk 422-00)

Montana Hunting Guide — Elk

HD 422-00 covers a limited-permit elk hunt in south-central Montana near the Crazy Mountains and Shields River country. Permits are issued through Montana FWP's special drawing under the state's preference point system. We recommend reviewing FWP Plan-a-Hunt for boundary, access, and BMA detail before applying.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 422-00

Where to Find Elk in HD 422-00

Elk in HD 422-00 key on the timbered foothills, aspen pockets, and grass benches on the west and south flanks of the Crazy Mountains. We scout creek bottoms, small sage openings, and timber edges between 5,500 and 8,000 feet, especially near saddles connecting the Crazies to the Shields River breaks.

Significant private ground runs along the Shields River, but BMAs and USFS tracts provide access to quality elk habitat. Use FWP Plan-a-Hunt to plan legal routes.

How to Hunt Elk in HD 422-00

We glass the aspen benches and timber edges at first and last light, then move in along thermal-friendly approaches. Rut-phase calling produces in the timber pockets higher up the Crazies, while early and late season hunts rely on glassing and stalking sage-timber edges.

Plan access in advance — some of the best habitat abuts private ground, and BMA sign-in rules apply on the public-private interface. Review FWP regulations for current legal-elk criteria before the opener.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle23%

Permit-area elk hunts around the Crazy Mountains generally produce success rates above the Montana general-season average, helped by reduced hunter density and strong winter ranges. Pull current HD 422-00 numbers from the FWP harvest report portal.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— B License	101	101	100.0%	0

Data from 2022 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

HD 422-00 tags flow through FWP's special drawing under Montana's preference point system. Three-year applicant counts near 131 against roughly 121 permits imply strong per-draw odds in most years. Preference points improve long-run odds without guaranteeing a tag.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate. The Crazy Mountain flanks offer mixed terrain — sage benches, aspen pockets, and timbered ridges — with 1,500–2,500 foot daily climbs common.

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Hunting Pressure

Low to moderate. Permit caps suppress elk hunter density, but general-season deer hunters and cattle operations share the ground.

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Weather

October can bring sudden snow in the Crazies; late-season hunts require cold-weather gear and 4WD.

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Permit Notes

HD 422-00 is a special-draw permit hunt. Apply by the FWP spring deadline and confirm legal-elk criteria in current regulations.

Note: Stage in Big Timber or Livingston. Coordinate BMA access details with FWP Region 3 well ahead of the hunt.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is HD 422-00 a good draw for a first-timer?

With roughly 131 three-year applicants and about 121 tags, HD 422-00 often draws favorably for applicants with at least a point or two. Check current FWP drawing statistics each spring.

Are Block Management Areas open to HD 422-00 permit holders?

Yes, with standard BMA sign-in and posted rules. Coordinate BMA entry via FWP's Block Management portal before the hunt.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

FWP Plan-a-Hunt — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: HD 422-00 boundary geometry, Public-access and ownership layers · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Hunt Regulations — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Elk season structure, Permit-area legal-elk criteria · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Drawing Statistics — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Applicant and quota history, Preference point progression · accessed 2026-04-17